Georgian tees up golf program

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During the first-year extended trip to Florida, Georgian College’s golf management degree students visited Nicklaus Design, the acclaimed golf-course design company founded by legend Jack Nicklaus. While there, they had the unexpected opportunity to meet the man himself. This photo of students and instructors (and Ray Ball, Nicklaus Design’s project manager) was taken by the famed golfer’s private photographer.

The 26 students in Georgian College’s new golf management degree program have worked hard this year at the business of playing. The program, which began in September, has just sent its very first class off to their summer co-op. Meanwhile, program co-ordinator Brad Doey prepares the courses for their second year while working to make improvements to the first-year curriculum. “When you launch a program like this you have great expectations of the quality of students, the level of instruction and how engaged the professors are in the process,” he reflects. “We promised our students we’d deliver a world-class program.” To monitor their satisfaction levels, Doey asked them to complete weekly report cards to describe what they like and don’t like. “They showed we were exceeding their expectations,” Doey reports. “So we’re really happy about that.” The course work for this four-year program includes traditionally formatted classroom work (where they learn law, management and accounting, for example), mixed with a great deal of practical instruction. “One of the courses in the program is called Golf Etiquette and Game Improvement,” Doey says. This class sends students to the tees. “We have playing privileges at several courses in the area. Playing well is important. “They command a certain amount of respect among their fellow workers, club members, their pros and management – we recognize that.” There is also an advanced version of the course. Off-site field trips are also a regular part of the curriculum. The class visited the Canadian Golf Superintendent Association conference and trade show where Toronto Maple Leaf general manager Brian Burke addressed the crowd with an inspirational keynote speech. They also attended an irrigation seminar at Turf Care Products in Newmarket, a topic that supports their first co-op. “We don’t just pull these things out of our hat,” says Doey, who has structured the program’s tuition fees to support an enhanced educational experience. One of the report cards did suggest that such outings be more contained within scheduled class hours to ensure time for other pursuits. Students happily gave up their spring reading week, however, for a whirlwind trip to Florida where they got a clubhouse tour of TPC Sawgrass – home of the Players Championship, a major PGA tournament. “The general manager also took us into the champion’s locker room,” recalls Doey. The normally off-bounds room was a special awe-inspiring addition to the visit. But if brushing shoulders with the ghosts of legends past got their attention, an unexpected chat with Golden Bear himself was astounding. While visiting Nicklaus Design, the renowned golf course design firm founded by Jack Nicklaus, the man walked into the meeting in person and greeted the group. Doey was thrilled not only to receive an invitation to return to the firm, but also to have the next group of students play a round on Nicklaus’ private golf course. “You don’t get to see a legend like that up close very often,” says the college professor. “A lot of students walked out of there dumbfounded, saying it doesn’t get any better than that. And that was day two so we knew we were on the right track.” When the group reached their fourth year of instruction, the large trip is a pilgrimage to the cradle of golf itself in St. Andrew’s, Scotland, says Doey. But for now, he’s in the middle of the selection process for the new crop of future industry leaders. He was pleased to note there were five female applicants in the group. This year’s class has a single woman in its ranks. Although there’s a lot of room for improvement, he recognizes the higher number as a starting point. “That’s not a bad number – for now.” For more information about the program, call the collage at 728-1968.